Boynton made the announcement Wednesday in a letter he posted on the district’s Web site. There, he told the Amherst community that he will formally announce at next Monday’s school board meeting his plans to retire effective July 31, 2008.

“Any success I have had as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, principal, and superintendent has been largely due to the dedication, competence, and attitude of the staff, students, parents, and citizens that I’ve had the good fortune to serve during my 29 years in Amherst,” he said in the letter.

Boynton, who could not be reached for comment Wednesday, also credits having a good working relationship with the school board as one of the reasons why the district is thriving.

He pledges to work to develop and announce a transition plan following the search for a new superintendent.

“I am proud to be a member of this community and even if I’m doing it from a different vantage point, in coming years, I will enjoy watching each of you achieve success as you help our students succeed,” he concluded the letter by saying.